Ask the Expert

Get answers to your heart disease prevention questions.

Note: This is for informational purposes only. Doctors cannot provide a diagnosis or individual treatment advice via e-mail. Please consult your physician about your specific health care concerns.

Please install flash player to see this video.

Heart Center Virtual Tour

Atherosclerosis - Symptom

Alternative Names

Arteriosclerosis; Hardening of the arteries; Plaque buildup - arteries

Symptoms:

Symptoms usually do not occur until blood flow becomes slowed or blocked.

See the specific condition for more details on symptoms:

Signs and tests:

A health care provider will perform a physical exam and listen to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope. Early atherosclerosis can create a whooshing or blowing sound ("bruit") over an artery.

Tests that may be used to diagnose atherosclerosis or complications include:

Ankle/brachial index (ABI)
Aortic arteriography
Arteriography
Cardiac stress testing
Carotid duplex
CT scan
Doppler study
Extremity arteriography
Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)
Magnetic resonance arteriography (MRA)
Mesenteric arteriography
Pulmonary angiography
Renal arteriography

Carotid stenosis, X-ray of the left artery

Carotid stenosis, X-ray of the right artery

Enlarged view of atherosclerosis

Prevention of heart disease

Developmental process of atherosclerosis

Angina

Atherosclerosis

Cholesterol producers

Coronary artery balloon angioplasty - series

Reviewed last on: 7/15/2008
Alan Berger, MD, Assistant Professor, Divisions of Cardiology and Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Boden WE, O'rourke RA, Teo KK, et al. Optimal Medical Therapy with or without PCI for Stable Coronary Disease. N Engl J Med. 2007 Mar 26; [Epub ahead of print].

Mosca L, Banka CL, Benjamin EJ, et al. Evidence-Based Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Women: 2007 Update. Circulation. 2007; Published online before print February 19, 2007.

Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2005:921-935.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)